4 Types of Catalytic Converters

August 22, 2022
What are the types of catalytic converters?
- Two-way Catalytic Converters
- Three-way Catalytic Converters
- Diesel Oxidation Catalyst
- Lean Burn Spark Ignition Engines
Car exhaust fumes contain harmful gases such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. These glasses are harmful to all humans and the environment. This is why catalytic converters are made. Catalytic converters are small metal boxes with two pipes attached to the bottom that clean the air released by your car.
There are various types of catalytic converters available today. How exactly do they differ? This article will explain it. Continue reading to learn more about the types of catalytic converters.
How does a Catalytic Converter work?
Catalytic converters use chemical reactions to transform harmful substances in a car’s exhaust gasses — such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrocarbons — into less harmful pollutants emitted and water vapor.
The interior of this machine is usually filled with a honeycomb pattern, onto which a catalyst coating is applied. This is a material that reacts with the exhaust gasses, changing their chemical structure.
Types of Catalytic Converters
There are many different types of catalytic converter to choose from. The most common include:
Two-Way Catalytic Converters
- It allows the oxidation of carbon monoxide to less-harm carbon dioxide.
- It allows the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.
Exhaust gases are directed to flow through the substrate, which contains metals such as palladium and platinum, allowing the chemical reaction to take place. The exhaust gases increase during the conversion process.
When this process generates intense heat, the exhaust gases leaving the converter should be hotter than the gases entering the converter. This is also why heat shields are necessary.
On diesel engines, catalytic converters are used to achieve lower monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. They are considerably faster with a lean fuel mixture, but their inability to control nitrogen oxides gives way to the next type of catalytic converter: three-way converters.
Three-way Catalytic Converters
- It allows the reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen.
- It allows the oxidation of carbon monoxide to less-harmful carbon dioxide.
- It allows the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.
Three-way converters have been widely used in various countries since 1981. In conjunction with an oxygen control and monitoring system, this type of catalytic converter uses advanced catalyst chemistry to retain and release oxygen.
It is beneficial to use the system to vibrate the fuel mixture when using oxygen sensors. The three-way catalytic converters, when combined with oxygen storage and release on the catalyst surface, allow vibrations for maximum emission reduction. They are used with diagnostic systems in today’s vehicles to assist and warn drivers when their converter is not operating at peak performance.
It is also used in combustion engines powered by diesel or gas, such as cars and other vehicles, but it can be used with a variety of other engine types.
Diesel Oxidation Catalyst
- It allows converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
- It allows converting hydrocarbons to water and carbon dioxide.
The Diesel Oxidation Catalysts are not active for nitrogen oxides reduction as the reductant present would first react with the high concentration of oxygen in the diesel exhaust gas.
They are used and regularly operate at 90% reliability because they eliminate diesel odor while also cutting carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate emissions. They are simple, cheap, and maintenance-free, and they are appropriate for all types and applications of diesel engines.
Lean Burn Spark Ignition Engines
- It emits less carbon dioxide than existing engines.
- It allows converting nitrogen oxides to nitrogen gas in engine emissions.
The emissions from a Lean Burn Spark Ignition Engine are the same as those from a diesel engine with an oxidation catalyst. It also uses less gasoline.
Lean-burning fuel is combusted with excess air. The surplus air in the lean-burn engine provides significantly fewer hydrocarbons. High air-fuel ratios can also be used to reduce losses caused by engine power management techniques. It is a small percentage of the fuel delivered to and consumed in an engine’s combustion chamber.
Choosing a Catalytic Converter
Many drivers are turning to recycled catalytic converters to help clean the fumes released by their vehicles. Though it seems like a win-win situation, you should think about a few things before doing so.
First, do not exchange your budget for reconditioned or reused converters. The first thing you should look for in a catalytic converter is durability and the ability to be used for an extended period.
Second, consider the options available to you. Examine each type of catalytic converter. This blog summarizes the various types of catalytic converters.
All of these factors will guide you to the best catalytic converter for your vehicle.
Key Takeaway
If you’re looking for the best and most dependable types of catalytic converters, contact Roberts. With years of expertise in manufacturing parts that best meet OEM standards, we have established a strong client base.
Send us a message on our website if you have any questions about catalytic converters, or are seeking an upgrade or replacement for your vehicle.